Origin I: Queensland player ratings

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Player ratings for all 17 Maroons players from their 28-4 loss to the Blues in State of Origin I.

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Match Draw Widget[2017] State of Origin - Round 1: Maroons vs Blues

‌1. Darius Boyd

He's the best in the business at creating overlaps out of nothing but struggled to impose himself against a resolute defensive line. Almost reached out to score a consolation try at the death but was held up in goal. Safe as houses at the back but could be shifted to the wing if Billy Slater is recalled. 6/10

2. Corey Oates

Was rewarded for his surety under the high ball in defence with a spectacular four-pointer off an inch-perfect Cooper Cronk kick. Played the role of battering ram coming out of trouble and won his individual duel with Blake Ferguson. 6.5/10

3. Will Chambers

Wreaked havoc in the first half with 103 metres and caused opposite number Josh Dugan all sorts of problems in defence. Wasn't as effective in the second stanza and could come under scrutiny for his shot on Mitchell Pearce. 7.5/10

4. Justin O'Neill

Came up with a disastrous error bringing the ball off his own line that led to Andrew Fifita's match-sealing try. Rarely threatened the defensive line and missed a whopping eight tackles. Could be the man to drop out if the Maroons decide to bring Slater back into the side. 4/10

5. Dane Gagai

Made plenty of tough metres coming out of trouble and was Queensland's most threatening player when given space. Ran for a game-high 220 metres and produced a brilliant tackle to deny Brett Morris late in the first half. 8/10

6. Anthony Milford

Might not remember his Origin debut after colliding with Corey Oates midway through the second half. Handled himself well in defence and showed Fred Astaire-like footwork every time he got in space. 6/10

7. Cooper Cronk

Produced a spectacular cross-field kick to find Corey Oates for Queensland's only try and his general-play kicking was exemplary as always. His forwards didn't give him enough time or space to hurt the Blues. 6/10

8. Dylan Napa

Had the honour of returning the kick-off and backed up his strong carry with another run later in the set. Didn't look out of place in his first stint but appeared to be hampered by an ankle injury. 6/10

9. Cameron Smith

Worked the shortside well to put Gagai into space in the play preceding the Oates try. Schemed well out of dummy-half but didn't control the game like we've come accustomed to over his record-breaking career. 6.5/10

10. Nate Myles

He's been a magnificent servant for the Maroons but was outshone by New South Wales' mobile pack. Produced a poor attempted tackle on Andrew Fifita for the first try of the game and then conceded a ruck penalty moments later. Managed just 27 metres in his first stint and dropped the ball with his first touch back on the field. 4.5/10

11. Josh Papalii

Whacked anything that came his way and carried the ball with plenty of intent. There's no reason why he can't play 80 minutes when the series shifts to Sydney in three weeks. 6.5/10

12. Matt Gillett

He's established himself as one of the best defenders in the game, but the Broncos back-rower was far from his best with six missed tackles in the first half alone. He ran a perfect line off a Cronk short ball in the first half but failed to make any real impact. 5.5/10

13. Josh McGuire

The Corey Parker comparisons will continue after he got through a mountain of work in a typically brave performance in the middle of the field. Ran for 106 metres and chalked up 44 tackles and provided the mongrel that was needed in the opening exchanges. 7.5/10

14. Michael Morgan

Was injected into the game at the perfect moment and it came as no surprise that the Maroons scored their only try shortly after he came on. Looked lively and made plenty of metres but couldn't find enough room to show off his freakish speed. 6/10

15. Sam Thaiday

Got through plenty of work but didn't have the sort of impact we've seen from him on this stage in previous years. 6/10

16. Aidan Guerra

Threw a brilliant pass, backed up and then dummied his way to the line, but in a play that summed up the game, lost the ball in a try-saving tackle by Josh Dugan over the line. 6.5/10

17. Jacob Lillyman

Did what was expected of him with solid numbers in both attack and defence. 6/10